by Addidanny Lesperance

 

     Sixty years ago, Brooklyn College blossomed with as much energy and activity as it does today. Time doesn't change the matters that affect our lives, especially when it concerns civil rights, war and labor. These issues thrived at Brooklyn College sixty years ago as Brooklyn College students voiced their concerns.

     What was happening in 1942 at Brooklyn College? I found the answer while leafing through various articles and pamphlets. These articles, pamphlets and flyers were maintained through the years in the Office of Student Life. At first glance the appearance of the articles is not very appealing. Time has turned the paper brown and the print has faded. Upon handling the documents, care must be taken in order not to damage the paper or make it crumble. Upon closer inspection though, the reader cannot simply turn away.

     Some headlines were, "Jim Crow Makes Hitler Grow", "Fight K.K.K., Free Browder", "Business As Usual - School Elections In Wartime", "Avuka Asks the Jewish Student, Do You Need War Arms?" and "Open Up All Fronts." The significance of these articles is demonstrated in the Brooklyn College student who didn't sit idle in this period of war, injustice and change. Brooklyn College students broadcasted their anxieties and ambitions in expressing the message of determination.

     A popular case in 1942 was the imprisonment of Earl Browder. He is most likely to be unknown to students today as we are not acquainted with the name. Yet students at that time supported the release of this man persistently. Students formed the Committee to Free Earl Browder. The Student League for Industrial Democracy advocated his release and moreover Brooklyn College students' passion for the cause of Browder illustrates their concern.

     In skimming through these old articles, there was more information on Earl Browder than any other subject. Earl Browder was an anti-fascist fighter for Negro Rights, who was imprisoned and fined for a violation of passport regulations. Many Americans, among whom were Brooklyn College students believed this imprisonment and fine to be in disaccord with the spirit of the Bill of Rights that is guaranteed to every American citizen. Browder's arrest was the result of his opposition to discrimination against African Americans in the military, the burnings of African Americans simply for having brown skin, poll taxes levied against African Americans to hinder their right to vote and the terrorizing by the K.K.K. of organized African Americans. Those struggles are not far different from the headlines of today's news stories. Discrimination still exists today and societies apart form the United States such as China, East Timor, Northern Ireland as well as other territories existing as colonies, still struggle under oppression. The bright side is that Brooklyn College students today as in the past continue to voice their concerns of the condition of the world around them.

by Jimmy Duran, Political Science Graduate studenrt

     The diversity of Brooklyn College extends beyond its student body and faculty. The college offers an extensive array of academic disciplines and some of them include the opportunity to study abroad. As many other Brooklyn College students, I have had the opportunity to participate in one of those very exciting study abroad programs. In conjunction with another renowned university, Brooklyn College offers, through the Department of Puerto Rican and Latino Studies, a three-week and a twelve-week course on Cuba, which takes place in Cuba at the Universidad de la Habana. While in Cuba, Cuban professors taught about Cuban society, religion, music and socialism. The program was a tremendous asset to me as an international relations graduate student, and a Political Science major. Coupled with the insightful theory offered by my professor, the experience abroad gave me the hands on experience of what Cuban socialism is and how it compares to capitalism. I encourage all incoming as well as current students of Brooklyn College to take advantage of these programs. They are certainly good and positive activities, that every student especially those interested in politics, should experience.

by Sherry Drazner        The CUNY Counseling Assistantship Program (CUNYCAP) was created especially for students who received their undergraduate degrees from a CUNY college and are currently attending CUNY for their graduate studies.      The project was developed in coordination with CUNY's Central Office of Student Services and individual campuses. The program provides sites for the development of professionals among our graduate students, allows students to gain valuable experience while receiving a salary and six-credit tuition waiver, and provides opportunities for leadership development. By the Fall 2001 semester, there were 25 CUNYCAP students working in offices and departments throughout Brooklyn College.      A new aspect of the program, the CUNYCAP Mentoring Project, was implemented in the spring, 2001 semester. In many of the offices where CUNYCAP students work, there are also undergraduat students working as student aides or college assistants. These undergraduate students sometimes find working, attending classes, studying, and participating in extra-curricular activities quite challenging. This newly initiated mentoring project pairs the CUNYCAP with an undergraduate in the same office so that they may work together throughout the semester. In developing this pilot program, the Checklist for Academic Success was produced. The checklist describes familiar issues that college students face and some ways to overcome these issues. The CUNYCAP student and undergraduate student review this checklist together, figure out priorities to tackle, and work on them throughout the semester. The mentor and the undergraduate can both benefit from this experience such that the graduate student will achieve a sense of personal satisfaction through the mentoring experience. Throughout the mentoring process, the mentor will develop leadership and communication skills, patience, insight, self-analysis skills, and interpersonal experience, which is essential for any future career.      For information on CUNYCAP or mentoring opportunities on campus, please contact Sherry Drazner or Melanie Bush, Office of Student Life, 2113 Boylan, 951-5352.